The Ruling on Participating in the Celebrations of the Disbelievers

Question:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Many Muslims in these lands express joy and happiness at the approach of the third millennium of the Christians' festival, on the pretext that this is a global festival in which all the peoples of the world participate. Has the Permanent Committee issued a ruling? Has it issued a ruling prohibiting participation with the disbelievers and their festivals in this matter?

Answer:
This is something that is not established; rather, it is an innovation, and may Allah protect us from it. This is participating with the disbelievers in their festivals. They celebrate the birthday of Jesus every year. Is it permissible for us to participate with them? This is the birthday of Jesus, which is the two-thousandth anniversary of the birth of Jesus. It is a birthday, but it is a two-thousand-year or annual birthday. We do not participate with them in this, and this is invalid. Moreover, it is not permissible for a Muslim to mark the passage of such and such a time. This is not permissible; it is one of the innovations for which Allah has not sent down any authority. Yes.